PrintCissie Roughan Award 2009/ Gradaim Uí Ruacháin 2009
Date Issued: 3rd March 2010
This Cissie Roughan Awards Scheme was instituted in 1993 and honours the memory of the late Cissie Roughan, former member of Kilrush Town Council, and the first woman elected to the Town Council in Kilrush.
10 individuals received nominations this year for the civic awards, drawn from a variety of areas of endeavour – community, sporting, cultural and fundraising work. The Cissie Roughan nominations are a way to enable ordinary people to acknowledge friends and neighbours for their good works. We have lots of people doing great things and it is important that Kilrush Town Council can provide the opportunity for public recognition of the valuable works and activities and involvements.
The following were the nominations for the 2009 Cissie Roughan Awards.
Vincent O'Halloran of Cill Ruis Inis Cathaigh Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Vincent O'Halloran was the man responsible for proposing, organising and running a very successful 1st Inis Cathaigh C.C.E. Music and Set Dancing Weekend in August to replace the Éigse Mrs. Crotty Festival.
Vincent O'Halloran is also very much to the fore in organising the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Kilrush and his contribution to the event is very evident coming up to and especially on the Day.
Vincent is also involved in the running of An Teach Cheoil (Old Protestant Church) in Grace Street. His contribution to the Arts and Social life of the Kilrush Community has been invaluable.
Matthew Kelly of Moneypoint Underage Soccer Club
Matt Kelly has done a tremendous amount for underage soccer in the town of Kilrush. He is the current co-Managers of Moneypoint U12 soccer team which won the league this year and last year won the U11 league. Matt's enthusiasm for the game has turned parents' concept of sport from dropping the kids off at the gate and driving home till it's time to collect them again an hour or so later, to wanting to stay and take an interest in their child's development in the sport .
He even organised a trip for the U12 boys and mentors to the Rep. of Ireland V Italy soccer match in Croke Park. Both kids and mentors were very grateful to Matt for doing so.
John Fennell 'Hell For Leather' School of Set Dancing
John Fennell celebrated 25 years of his dancing school in 2009. As part of his celebrations he brought a new 'Hell for Leather' Show back to a full house in Glór. He made the St. Patrick's Day Parade of 2009 - one that Kilrush has never seen before and more than likely will never see again. Pupils past and present took part in a colourful spectacular, all 500+ of them and finished by dancing completely surrounding the Town Hall. To have children dancing as young as five and teenagers still wanting to dance. The Fennell School of Dancing has kept one of our traditions alive - our love of dance.
To recognise his work over the last 25 years and the 25 to come, we should be proud to call him one of our own and recognise his work with the youth of Kilrush past, present and future be it dancing or football.
Martin Cahill
Martin has served the town of Kilrush for many a year as a dedicated member of Kilrush Fire Service. He fulfilled his role with great dignity and pride. Martin excelled in his role and continued his good work way beyond his work requirements by taking a personal interest in the people he served and on many an occasion was a comforting shoulder for those in times of need. Martin has been a great contributor to the community in both his work, but also outside his work. While he may have hung his Fire Chief hat up his service and dedication has not been forgotten. Martin will always continue to wear a friendly smile and the hat of a dedicated community member.
Brendan Egan
Brendan gives great time and effort in maintaining the magnificent St. Senan's Church, Kilrush. He dedicates hours of his personal time to ensure that our church is maintained to the highest standard for all parishioners. The church is a focal point in the town of Kilrush and in the lives of its inhabitants and the work carried out by Brendan is invaluable.
Kilrush R.N.L.I. Fundraising Committee
The Fundraising Committee have worked tirelessly behind the scenes since the establishment of the R.N.L.I. in Kilrush. Their great efforts have ensured that essential funds are available for the purchase and upkeep of vital equipment for the crews battling the seas to save lives.
Threase Young
Threase has offered great time and effort to enhancing the Community through her great work with the Brothers of Charity. But not only that, she works tirelessly behind the scenes with the R.N.L.I. Fundraising Committee helping to raise funds for the R.N.L.I. Lifeboat. Recently, Threase has been a huge contributor to the success of the Kilrush 'PAD' - Public Access Defib Programme. Threase is an outstanding member of our community.
Máire Hamilton
Máire Hamilton is nominated for her hugely significant contribution to the promotion of the Irish language to be spoken in the town of Kilrush and the surrounding area. It is a tremendous challenge to retain our cultural language and all that it symbolises and stands for and the part played by Máire in doing this has been very significant.
Final and Overall Award 2009
The last of this year’s nominees received the overall 2009 perpetual trophy. And this year, the trophy was awarded posthumously to the late Charles W. Glynn.
Charles W. Glynn worked tirelessly all his life for the benefit of Kilrush business, culture and social life. He was a tremendous leader of the business community of Kilrush and was a founder member of Kilrush Chamber of Commerce. He gave marvellous personal service in successfully promoting the economic, social and commercial welfare of the town.
He also was responsible the establishment and maintenance of the website www.westclare.com. This website opened up Kilrush and indeed West Clare to the wider world and highlighted the area as a great are to live ,work and visit. Charles was a true gentleman. The town is better for having had him and poorer for his passing.